Rookie Ritual

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles on Friday held the first of their two-day rookie minicamp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, offering a first glimpse of rookies and tryout players. There’s typically some surprises in the assembled group, like veterans looking to catch on, but the intrigue centered on the team’s eight-player draft class.

While on the subject of tryout players, it’s worth pointing out that in each of the past two rookie minicamps, the Eagles elected to sign a player. In 2024, it was Ferris State CB Shon Stephens, and last spring, Washington WR Giles Jackson punched his ticket to training camp.

Emptying my Friday notebook, I’ve compiled some notable takeaways and insight into some of the day’s storylines:

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles first-round pick Makai Lemon reps in practice across from his new position coach, Aaron Morehead.

Uniform numbers are in for the rookie draft picks:

WR Makai Lemon: 9
TE Eli Stowers: 87
OT Markel Bell:  72
QB Cole Payton: 10
G Micah Morris: 76
S Cole Wisniewski: 21
DT Uar Bernard: 93
OLB Keyshawn James-Newby: 50

Of the eight-player class, six signed their rookie deals ahead of the first practice: Lemon, Payton, Morris, Wisniewski, Bernard and James-Newby.

Uniform numbers for the undrafted rookie class:

DB Kapena Gushiken: 34
DB Tucker Large: 37
LB Deontae Lawson: 47
DB Maximus Pulley: 36
G Jaeden Roberts: 64
LS Rocco Underwood: 37
DE Joshua Weru: 46
TE Dae’Quan Wright: 45

Other notables

Among the veteran tryout players on hand were RBs Elijah Mitchell and Khalil Herbert, OLB Isaiah Thomas and OL Michael Jordan. Jordan is an interesting name, as the Eagles currently lack for experienced interior depth along the offensive line. The seventh-year pro, drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth-round in 2019, has appeared in 78 games (49 starts).

In other news, WR Jha’Quan Jackson was also participating in rookie minicamp. Jackson, a sixth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2024, was a player the team showed some interest in during the 2024 pre-draft cycle.

Eagles’ second-year OL Hollin Pierce and third-year DL Gabe Hall are on hand for rookie minicamp. Pierce, a 2025 UDFA, spent the entirety of last season on the Eagles’ practice squad. Hall, a 2024 post-draft signing, appeared in two games last season. For bottom-roster players, reps shrink dramatically in training camp. Pierce and Hall should benefit from the extra work.

First impressions of first-round pick Makai Lemon? Lemon is a smooth operator as a route-runner. The USC product was elegant and precise in his movements during drills and showcased strong hands. During the media attended portion of practice Lemon led the receiver drills, presided over by position coach Aaron Moorehead.

With the rest of the assembled group stretching and warming up on a far field, Cole Payton worked on the one closest to the entrance with quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier and offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Payton is the lone quarterback taking part in the minicamp.

It was hard to miss seventh-round pick Uar Bernard, even from afar. Bernard certainly looks the part, with his physique and arm length that hovers around 36 inches leading the way. The Nigeria native worked on a far field with defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, Hall and a tryout hopeful.

Notable tryout rookies

P Luke Akers (Northwestern; son of Eagles K David Akers); WR Kajiya Hollowayne (Temple); LB Isiah King (Idaho); OLB Jimari Butler (LSU); TE J.T. Byrne (Georgia Tech); DT T.J. Burke (Lehigh).

The Eagles on Friday officially announced their eight-player class of undrafted rookies. Here’s the breakdown:

DB Kapena Gushiken

Gushiken, 23, began at Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, Calif.), staying for two seasons (2021-2022). He spent the next two seasons at Washington State before finishing out his college career at Ole Miss. The 5-foot-9, 189-pound Gushiken started 12 of 15 games for the Rebels last season, collecting 55 tackles, six passes defended and an interception. At the school’s Pro Day, Gushiken produced a 4.33 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical, 11’0 broad jump and 17 reps on the bench press. Gushiken is a versatile backend player who’s probably best equipped to settle in at nickelback, where his short-area burst and athleticism can be maximized.

DB Tucker Large

Large (5-11, 185) began his career at South Dakota State before finishing off his career at Washington State. In 2025, Large started in 13 games for the Cougars, registering 71 tackles (three for loss) and six passes defended. Something of note: At South Dakota State, Large proved productive in his opportunities as a punt returner, returning 22 times for 402 yards and a touchdown. He totaled seven interceptions for the Jackrabbits, returning one for a 64-yard touchdown.

LB Deontae Lawson

Lawson, 23, started 41 games in a collegiate career that covered five seasons, including 15 last season. A 2025 second-team All-SEC selection, Lawson compiled 89 tackles (4.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, four passes defended and a pair of forced fumbles. The 6-foot-3, 226-pounder, who navigated injuries — including a torn ACL — throughout his career brings length and fluidity, along with invaluable experience attained at one of the premier powerhouses programs in college football. It’s also worth noting that Lawson served as a team captain over his final two seasons.

DB Maximus Pulley

Prior to arriving at Wofford in 2023, Pulley (5-11, 200) spent his first two collegiate campaigns at Western Kentucky. At Wofford, Pulley started in all 34 games at in which he appeared at safety, totaling 189 tackles (seven for loss), 16 passes defended and seven interceptions — five of which he produced last season. He managed to convert three of his turnovers into touchdowns. Pulley last season garnered notable accolades, including first-team All-SoCon. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award.

G Jaeden Roberts

Roberts, 23, logged 25 starts for Alabama over his final three seasons, all at right guard. Roberts, at 6-foot-5, 333-pounds and with a wingspan that measures in at over 83 inches, certainly looks the part. Roberts isn’t considered to be an uber-athlete, but plays with tenacity and technique. The Houston native has experienced his share of injuries, but the current numbers at his position should afford him a legitimate opportunity to stick around in some capacity.

LS Rocco Underwood

Underwood appeared in 50 games for the Gators, serving as a mainstay on special teams. The 6-foot-3, 231-pounder won the 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award and qualified as a semifinalist in 2025. Underwood also earned 2025 second-team All-SEC honors. In 2025, Underwood totaled 103 snaps, including 52 on punt coverage and another 51 on field goals/extra points.

DE Joshua Weru

Like Bernard, Weru, a native of Kenya, dazzled at the HBCU Showcase/International Pathway Player Pro Day. For context, Weru clocked a 4.45 40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical and 11’2” broad jump. The 6-foot-4, 244-pounder is new to football, coming to the Eagles with only a background in rugby, but carries some intrigue as a down-the-road, developmental project. Weru, listed as an OLB, trained for the draft alongside Bernard at X3 Performance in Fort Myers, Fla.

TE Dae’Quan Wright

Widely considered to be a draftable prospect, the Eagles potentially land a post-draft steal in Wright. Wright, 22, served as a big-play option last season for the Rebels, reeling in 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns, garnering second-team All-SEC recognition as a result. The 6-foot-4, 246-pounder brings toughness, versatility and ball skills, and could have an outside shot at elbowing his way onto the Eagles with a strong summer.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.